Sanyo VPC-CG102 High Definition Camcorder and 14 MP Camera w/12x Optical Zoom

First Impression

I have some initial impressions of the ultra compact CG102 cam. I will write a more complete update later. I'm quite impressed with this little wonder. The build quality is very good. However you have to use a supplied lens cap. No built in lens cover like higher priced cams.

There is no video editing software included. You have to download the manual from the Sanyo website. So that is where you see the cost cutting. This is why I gave 4 stars instead of 5

The website refers you to Arcsoft Adobe Premire or Nero as editors you can use on a PC. If you are a Mac person this is supposed to be compatible with iFrame and iMovie. I haven't tried it on my iMac yet. Only on my PC laptop with Arcsoft.

I'm pleased so far with the lens and performance of this little cam. It has a dual range zoom that you switch between a 40-240 and 80-480mm (in 35mm camera focal length). The picture is very detailed benefiting from 11mp video resolution. The still camera function is 14mp but limited to the 40-240 range of the zoom unfortunatly. This cam will realy shine in outdoor daylight conditions but it does a reasonable job indoors and artificial light.

There is a 1/4 screw mount for tripod work. It doesn't use a pin in conjuntion with the screw mount like most video cameras. But given the very small size and light weight it's not going to be needed by most. Another unusual feature is charging method. Rather than pluging into the camera to recharge there is a seperate battery charger. So you must remove the battery to charge up. The upside is that charging is very quick. It also means if you have a spare battery you can be charging it while using the cam. I don't know as yet how long a charge will last. That maybe a downside to the pistol grip layout verses its larger brother the GH2.

Anyway a very positive first day of use. I will update as I gain info on this little guy. This maybe an excellent alternative to a "superzoom" still camera. 14mp stills and good quality video to boot. Carry it in your jacket pocket or purse. With a very reasonable price. The Sanyo site [...

UPDATE 1 : The cam does work well with iMovie. Very easy to use with the iMac.



To answer some questions left for me. The 16gig SDHC card is good for 2 hours of full HD video. In the box are a USB cable and a USB to RGB cable. There is a HDMI port but not a HDMI cable. The LCD screen doesn't flip backwards to video yourself. That would take an external moniter. The spec to look for for low light ability is sensitivity measured in Lux. The lower Lux # the better or more sensitive. Of course manufactuers may use different standards. The Lux rating for the Sanyo are not as good as the HD Canons ($500) but are not bad compared to the HD Sonys and Panasonics in the $500 range. When you then compare to Flipcams and the like. They're not in the same leage as the Sanyos specs or abilities.



UPDATE 2: I stand corrected. The screen does flip backwards. Operatoer error.More detail ...

Sanyo VPC-FH1A Full HD Video and 8 MP Digital Photos (Black)

Good but not perfect

Pros

Superb low light response.

Excellent Mac compatibility

Reasonable price

Generally good set of options in the menu.

37mm threaded front lens so it it is compatible with a large assortment of attachments

Reasonable HD performance

Also functions as a pretty good and easy still camera





Cons

Zoom speed cannot be slowed or controlled in any way. (I stand corrected on this point - read below)

No mic or audio line input.





General Discussion

All things considered this is a fine product. If you are a Mac person this will save you many hours of work. The MPEG4 file format is very mac friendly. But there are a few things to keep in mind.



This camera has an unusually large aperture; as such this has some interesting consequences. On the positive side this produces stunning low light capabilities. Furthermore one can isolate the subject from the background very easily by carefully controlling ones exposure and focus; few other consumer camcorders have this ability. However this places great strain on the auto focus. If one is simply wishing to place it in an auto mode and leave it there it tends to have a lot of focus problems.



The zoom speed is too fast. Aside from the fact that I feel that it is aesthetically unpleasing in every case except bright sunlight the zoom is faster than the auto focus. Therefore almost any attempt to zoom in while shooting will yield out-of-focus pictures. Consequently you must consider the zoom on this camera to be essentially useless.



For some inexplicable reason they chose not to include an external mic/ audio in jack. This severely limits its usability.



David Courtney

Houston TXMore detail ...